Friday, April 29, 2016

We’ve all heard it said that anytime a ministry is thriving,
we had best keep a close watch because something or somebody is bound to attack
it. That seems to be a defeatist approach, but there is a good bit of truth to
it. That may be why Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 10:16 [“Behold, I send you
forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and
harmless as doves.”] is included in the gospels!

Why is it that we are often surrounded by so great a cloud
of wolves? How is it that evil can move so quickly to dismantle?

Every semester I screen the documentary THE CLINTON 12 in my
classes. This story of the integration of Clinton (TN) High School is riveting,
but one of the most disturbing and eye-opening facts is that on the opening day
of the school year, one man (John Kasper) came into town to stir up trouble,
and by Friday of the first week, thousands had joined him in his protest. In
the 1950’s – long before social media and flash mobs – evil reared its head to
attempt the derailment of a long-needed process… and was able to speak loudly
enough to cause quite the uproar – thankfully, an unsuccessful campaign.

After an unexpected attack, we who seek to truly be people
after God’s own heart sometimes find ourselves standing with that “why me?”
posture. WE may come under attack, but it is Christ himself who is being
scorned; it is an assault on the plan that we have determined to be HIS.

The Evil One has been nipping at our bare heels since the Garden,
and there is no sign that is about to change any time soon. Yet we continue to
pray “… thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” – and in that perfect
kingdom, the hosts of evil are silenced.

If you think you are truly God-will Hunting, brace yourself:
the hosts of evil are all around. Also arm yourself (Ephesians 6:10-17) that
you may be able to withstand the fiery darts - the difficulties that seem to accompany the living
of these days. Believe me, you are not alone!

Thursday, April 28, 2016

I feel like I should start by having everyone get your hankey out, but this is not an overly-emotional hymn!

This hymnline follows the line “I love to tell the story, ‘tis pleasant to repeat.” For those of us who have heard the old, old story of Jesus and his love
since the Cradle Roll department, the repetition might seem to wear us
down and become boring and less interesting… even less meaningful. For
me at least, that is not the case. I just can’t get enough of those
stories of Jesus’ teaching, healing, raising the dead, calming the sea,
holding children in his lap, caring for the disadvantaged, praying – and
eventually dying and rising.

Over the years as a
minister in the local church, I’ve had opportunities to re-tell those
stories in so many ways: through music, pageants, worship vignettes,
etc. I’ve also been privileged to recount those events to adult classes
and youth groups. But my favorite story-times have been with children to
whom some of the accounts are fresh, never before heard. Their
bright-eyed wonder at Christ’s ability to walk on water or call Lazarus
from the grave – those are the times that are truly “more wonderfully sweet.”

Today’s
hymnline may bring back memories of your growing-up years; you may call
to mind a favorite Sunday School teacher or missions-group leader. As
warm and fuzzy as that may be, let this hymn also remind you to continue
to be totally fascinated by the life and ministry of the Son of God. Be
sure it has not waned in importance or interest… or in its effect on
how you live your life as a reflection of his. May that wide-eyed wonder
return to us who are long separated from our childhood in terms of
years… but closer than ever in our captivation by things holy.

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)

About Me

A native of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, went to high school with Dolly Parton... and am still friends with her sister Stella who was "most talented" with me in our graduating class of 1967! Was a Southern Baptist for most of my life,am currently affiliated with Cooperative Baptists. Have worked in Baptist and Presbyterian churches - basically consider myself a Baptiterian!

Love words (texts). Am a published hymn-writer, anthem-text writer and composer. Into live theater, museums and antique stores. Enjoy good movies and PBS dramas.

Married to Carlita - Two bonus sons: Dustin,and Clint and his wife Sherry with our two grandsons Kyle and Carson who just happen to live close by!